15 Incredible Stats About Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry
15 Incredible Stats About Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry
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Cars Stolen With Keyless Entry
Many of the latest cars come with keyless entry systems, allowing drivers to open their car and start it without the requirement for traditional keys made of metal. However thieves are taking advantage of this technology.
Thieves are using simple equipment available online to capture the signal the fob transmits to the car. This allows them to get away in a matter of seconds, then open the car, and then start it.
The Relay Attack
A criminal is simply standing in front of your car using an instrument that can record the key fob's signal. When you pull the door handle the key fob broadcasts an alarm that asks "are you the owner of this car?" The criminal's device transmits this message back to the key fob, luring it into thinking that its owner is nearby, and then unlocks the car. The criminal can then get inside, hit the start button, and drive away. The entire process can be completed in just minutes, and there is no need to force entry.
This technique, known as"relay attack "relay attack" is possible to use with many different models. The good news is that the technology which makes this type of hack possible is easily purchased online. This means that virtually all vehicles can be hackable.
The most well-known type of vehicle targeted is a high-end Range Rover, but any keyless entry vehicle is at risk. It is important to keep in mind that criminals aren't always interested in the car itself, but the valuable items like cash and electronic devices within.
One of the most effective ways to stop this type of theft is to avoid leaving valuables in your car. If you must put them in a vehicle be sure that they're secured in a glove box or trunk. You could also consider parking your car between a less sought-after garage and your vehicle to deter thieves, or use a lock for your steering wheel to stop the criminal from getting the engine started.
If you're worried about a luxury vehicle being targeted, then it might be worth considering investing in an alarm. This won't stop criminals from stealing your car but it will increase the chances that police can recover and return it.
Although this isn't an entirely new type of theft but the fact that it can be accomplished so quickly and easily has caused a lot of concern amongst car owners. It's a cat-and-mouse game between security professionals and thieves and as technology advances, so too will criminal tactics. Fortunately you can take simple steps to prevent car theft with keyless entry.
The Transponder Attack
If you use your key fob to lock and start the car, it sends an audio signal to the vehicle's computer which informs it that your keys are in the vicinity. Hackers have found ways to hack into the system and open the door without keys.
To do this, thieves have been using devices that amplify the typically faint message that your fob transmits to the vehicle to let it know that you're trying to unlock or start it. They transmit that signal to the car's key transponder, which then sends back an encrypted code that informs it to open the doors or start the engine. The code is the same as the one that's on your key fob, so the car believes it's a valid signal coming from your key fob.
The criminal will then take this code, duplicate the blank key, and drive off with your vehicle. It's a fairly inexpensive process, too. These devices can be purchased online for less than $3,000 and are small enough to fit into pockets. So, how can you defend yourself from the dangers of these devices? Simple defenses include putting your keys in a Faraday cage, or even leaving them in the fridge when you're not at home.
Other measures include hiding all electrical items and keeping valuables out of sight even when you're not in your car. But perhaps the most important thing to do is make sure you always, always lock your car, even if only for a few minutes.
According to research conducted by Thatcham, car thefts involving keyless entry are increasing. It's no wonder, given the number of vehicles being stolen by savvy thieves using advanced technology, at an all-time high.
The Flat Battery Attack
Car thieves are a creative group, and they've come up with clever ways to enter and steal vehicles. It's a good thing to know that security experts are working hard to keep pace, so it is more secure than ever to defend yourself from theft of keys.
One of the more sophisticated tricks involves a device known as a signal jammer that emits the same frequency as your key fob. This can be sat in the thief's pocket or left somewhere in the drive. It also stops the car from being unlocked when the owner uses the key fob. Although there's no evidence to suggest that this method is used widely in the present, it could become more common in the near future.
Hacking the car's software is yet another more sinister trick. This is why you should always ensure that your car has the most up-to-date software updates. Thieves can then log into the owner's app and start the car from there, without the need for a key fob in any way. You should consider having your keys reprogrammed when you recently bought a used vehicle.
You can also deter thieves by parking your vehicle in garages, if you can. This might not prevent thieves from stealing your car however it will make their task much more difficult as they will need to find ways to gain access to the computer of the vehicle. You could consider etching the VIN's last 7 digits on the headlights, windows and mirrors. This will make it harder for thieves to change the vehicle's identity.
Finally, it's worth considering installing a security camera, like those from the likes of Ring, Amazon Blink and Google Nest. These cameras can also be used as a smart video-doorbell and are a great option to monitor your car when it is in a parking space outside. You can also consider a security light that works with the cameras if you have a driveway. This will alert you to any movements in your driveway. It will discourage thieves from attempting to lift cars off of the street.
The Stolen Key
Many car makers are replacing the physical key with a signal-transmitting proximity key which can be used to open and start your car. But criminals have developed technology to hack into those systems and steal cars without the fob or the button on the keypad.
The most recent theft method involves using what researchers call a CAN bus attack, or controller area network attack. The CAN bus is the system that allows various parts of the car to communicate with each the other, and it's the most sophisticated attack against keyless cars.
To target a vehicle with an attack on the CAN-bus, thieves must intercept the signals coming from the onboard diagnostics (OBD) port. This port is intended to be used by professionals diagnostic tools, but it is accessible to criminals by putting a special cable into it. This permits thieves to access the computer code that is used to unlock and start the car.
Shlisel claims it will take between 20 and 30 seconds to replicate the signal of a vehicle using a device available online for less than $100. After that, the criminal can simply walk into your vehicle and take away.
Criminals have gained entry into vehicles by hijacking radio signals that are used by the key fob of the car to communicate with the onboard system. These crooks use devices that can detect the signal and amplify it before they transmit it to another device to copy the key fob's cryptographic codes. This allows the crooks to unlock your car and start it up, then it's a matter of taking off with the items inside.
Security experts in the field of car security warn that the risk of theft via keyless locks increases as more models are equipped with the technology. Even if your car is not keyless, you should still be cautious, especially if you park in a public space. Experts suggest that you park your vehicle overnight in a garage, or at a minimum, somewhere that is secure, such as motion-detection lights and CCTV.
In addition the best thing you can do is to keep your vehicle clean out of your vehicle - taking away valuable items such as Sat Navs or mobile phones. Also, you should read more secure your car's doors and consider engraving the last seven digits of your vehicle identification number onto your headlights or windows.